Finding the perfect summer manicure can be a struggle—there are so! many! fun! options! Whether it's an Italian summer manicure or a multi-color aura look, there are seemingly endless options when it comes to picking the right shade and design. My favorite trend of the season? Fruit nails, baby. This cute and juicy look can technically be worn year-round, but there's just something about summertime (likely the fact that so many of my favorite fruits are in season) that really makes this trend pop off.
“Fruit nails tend to trend in the summer because the designs are fun and colorful, and fruits themselves are hydrating—perfectly reflecting a summer vibe,” says celebrity manicurist Sarah Chue. “Personally, I love kiwi, grapes, watermelon, and oranges—by the slice!”
Nails INC. founder Thea Green echoes this sentiment. “Summer is all about bright, fun, and bold colors, and fruit designs naturally fit this aesthetic,” she says. “Think of the vivid reds of strawberries, the sunny yellows of lemons, and the refreshing greens of kiwis. These colors pop against the typical summer wardrobe of lighter, more colorful clothing.”
The great thing about a fruit manicure is that you can really take it in any direction you want. Love strawberries? Grab a bottle of red nail polish and turn your entire nail bed into one. If you're a big fan of cherries, you (or your nail tech) can use 3D gel to sculpt one onto an accent nail. And if you're indecisive, you can always take the maximalist route and paint a different type of fruit on each finger.
To guide your decision-making, I did a little research and found over a dozen fruit nail designs to add to your summer manicure queue. Keep reading to see the products and shades you'll need to pull them off.
Cherry Bomb
Though rich-girl minimalism reigned the past year and still remains, Y2K is back and better than ever this summer, and there's nothing more Y2K—or summery—than a set of airbrushed cherries on some bright blue nails.
Juicy Gems
Want something equal parts fun and chic? This gorgeous bejeweled fruit design, set over a classic nude base, checks both boxes.
Kiwi Core
Likely created with blooming gel polish, this bright green kiwi core manicure taps into the fun, fruity vibe without requiring intricate nail art.
Strawberry Fields
If there's any fruit that goes hand in hand with summer, it's a strawberry. "The bright red of strawberries is bold and eye-catching, making it perfect for summer," Green says. "Pairing it with green for the leaves and white for the seeds creates a playful contrast." You can keep your design simple by adding a strawberry on an accent nail, or you can get really playful and add one to every finger.
Papaya Paradise
If you're ready to graduate from strawberry and cherry nails, look no further. This fresh-cut papaya-inspired design delivers the same fruity charm with a tropical twist.
Fruit Medley
Why pick just one fruit when you can wear the whole produce aisle? With cherries, kiwi, citrus, dragon fruit, and more, this playful manicure turns every nail into its own tiny masterpiece.
Citrus Slice
Lemons and oranges are more typical additions to most fruit manicures depicting citrus. Deviate from that and get creative by drawing a design inspired by the equally refreshing pink grapefruit.
Picnic Perfect
Bring the energy of a summer picnic to your nails by layering fruits like blueberries and strawberries over a blue and white striped gingham design.
Glassy Guava
Have you heard? Guava beauty is everywhere, and if you're looking for a way to get in on the trend, this manicure is the perfect way to do so. It adds the refreshing pink and green hues of a guava to a glassy cat-eye design created with magnetic gel polish.
Savory Sweet
Lots of fruit nail designs include the usual suspects like blueberries, cherries, and watermelons. If you really want to mix things up, throw in a few olives or a tomato (technically, they're both fruits!) to give your manicure a savory spin.
Limoncello
The "invisible" trend already brings a unique twist to the French manicure with soft lines painted just around the tips of your nails. Add a bit more flair (and color!) with a few accent nails featuring lemon slices.
Puffed Produce
This manicure puts strawberries and kiwis at the center and gives them a fresh, glassy look.
Fruity French Tip
Per Green, cherries are a common theme in fruit nail designs because they're small enough to keep designs simple yet effective. "A minimalist cherry design on accent nails, or alternating nails with a solid red and cherry design, can give a playful, balanced look," she adds. This looks takes a classic, rounded French manicure and adds a bit of playfulness with a cherry on two accent fingers.
Tutti Frutti
Remember: French tips don't always have to be white. This look combines the fruit nail trend with a bright, colorful French manicure, making it the perfect choice if you're hoping to make a summer statement.
Tropical Bloom
This sweet manicure uses a mixture of airbrush, 3D gel, and a flower decal to showcase a mango in three iterations: sliced, whole, and peeled.
Fiery Fruit
Forego traditional French tips and switch things up by painting the tips of your nails a mixture of pastel colors (each inspired by a different fruit) in the shape of a flame.
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